André Munzinger, Discerning the Spirits: Theological and Ethical Hermeneutics in Paul (Society for New Testament Studies Monograph Series, New York: Cambridge University Press, 2007), xiv + 239 Pps., $106.00
André Munzinger is a Lecturer at the University of Köln. This present work is a revised and updated version of his thesis, which was accepted by Brunel University and London School of Theology in June 2004. In this title, he seeks to answer such questions as, Wherein does the dignity of human life lie with respect to its beginning, its end, and its relationship with other creatures?, and Is the will of God clearly defined? Munzinger asserts that the apostle Paul is a reliable guide to things he did not even foresee, and that by mining his writings, one may be able to ‘discern the spirits’ (1 Cor 12.10) of contemporary culture.
But what did Paul mean by ‘discerning the spirits’? How did Paul determine ethical and theological truth? Were all believers expected to be able to do this, or just the leaders of the church? Munzinger’s study shows that discernment must be understood hermeneutically. Moreover, understanding the will of God requires both noetic and existential transformation, the ‘renewal of the mind’ (Rom 12.2). In order to broaden the definition of ‘discernment’ as used by Paul, Munzinger includes other terms that imply and highlight the theological, epistemological, and psychological background of the process of verification and understanding, which affords him to offer insight into the concept of discernment, and not merely the word per se, making his approach to ‘discernment’ more theological than semantic. He gives the following definition of discernment: it is the ‘process of reflective thought leading to decision and choice on the “correctness, meaning truth, or value of something or someone”’ (11). Munzinger argues that Paul implies a process of inspiration in which the Spirit sharpens the discerning functions of the mind because through transformation, the believer is liberated from a status and performance-based value system. As such, true knowledge and wisdom directly depends on the personal renewal of the believer (15)
Munzinger organizes his book, following the introduction, by concentrating on two main questions, namely: 1) What requires discernment? (Part II); and 2) How can and should authentic discernment function? (Part III). Part II is composed of three chapters, the first of which concentrates on the scope of ethical evaluation and the relationship between discernment and the law. This is followed the third chapter that examines the extent of spiritual discernment, and the fourth chapter demonstrates how the ethical and spiritual dimensions of discernment belong together. His discussion in the first four chapters leads naturally to the third part of the book, “How Can and Should True Discernment Take Place?,” which is composed of two chapters. Chapter five investigates Paul’s religious and philosophical; context, which transitions into chapter six, wherein Munzinger validates his portrayal of Pauline epistemology. The seventh and final chapter summarizes his work, and suggests some further areas of exploration which are implicated from this work.
This title investigates Paul’s understanding of ethical and theological knowledge, and how to ‘discern the will of God’. It offers insights from philosophy, psychology and sociology, as well as from the New Testament itself. It is relevant, apropos, and recommended to pastors and lay people seeking biblical guidance regarding difficult decisions they face in their lives. This study shows Paul believed that those who are transformed by the love of God are renewed in their thinking.